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Daughter of Heaven: The True Story of the Only Woman to Become Emperor of China

by Nigel Cawthorne

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251922,745 (3.75)None
She was taken to the palace as a concubine for the Emperor. Using her skill in the bedroom, she seduced her way to the throne of the most powerful empire in the world. She executed her enemies without mercy, and even murdered her own children for political gain. She set up her own imperial harem made up of young men. She elected herself a living god and held a ruthless reign of terror for over fifty years. Yet in the end, it was sex that led to her downfall. In this sensational true story, bestselling author Nigel Cawthorne reveals the dark and dramatic story of the only woman ever to rule China; Wu Chao, concubine, manipulator, politician, murderer, Emperor. From her instruction in the art of love by palace officials, to her eventual sticky end, this book opens a window into the colorful world of Tang Dynasty China #150; a world of sex and of power. Like a cross between Gone with the Wind and Fatal Attraction, you won’t be able to put it down! This is the gripping story of China’s Cleopatra; a story of murder, sex, love, power, and revenge.… (more)
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I couldn’t resist this biography of Wu Chao, a remarkable woman in the 7th century who clawed her way up from the status of a lowly concubine to become Emperor of China in her own right. She was, predictably, a fascinating character and her court, in its intrigues, corruption and eventual dissipation, makes the worst excesses of Westeros look like a village fete. Her rise and fall are worthy of a Greek tragedy but, alas, this book isn’t the best way for a newcomer to encounter her story...

To find out why, and for the rest of the review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/02/11/daughter-of-heaven-nigel-cawthorne/ ( )
  TheIdleWoman | Feb 11, 2017 |
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She was taken to the palace as a concubine for the Emperor. Using her skill in the bedroom, she seduced her way to the throne of the most powerful empire in the world. She executed her enemies without mercy, and even murdered her own children for political gain. She set up her own imperial harem made up of young men. She elected herself a living god and held a ruthless reign of terror for over fifty years. Yet in the end, it was sex that led to her downfall. In this sensational true story, bestselling author Nigel Cawthorne reveals the dark and dramatic story of the only woman ever to rule China; Wu Chao, concubine, manipulator, politician, murderer, Emperor. From her instruction in the art of love by palace officials, to her eventual sticky end, this book opens a window into the colorful world of Tang Dynasty China #150; a world of sex and of power. Like a cross between Gone with the Wind and Fatal Attraction, you won’t be able to put it down! This is the gripping story of China’s Cleopatra; a story of murder, sex, love, power, and revenge.

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